Welcome to the Team
Posted on Thu Jun 15th, 2023 @ 3:49pm by Lieutenant Elen Diari & Ensign Connor Turner & Chief Petty Officer Llaxia & Chief Petty Officer Jol Reena
Edited on on Wed Jun 21st, 2023 @ 10:45pm
3,799 words; about a 19 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Chief Engineer's Office - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD013 0800 hrs
Everyone knew that staff meetings were dumb. HOWEVER, Engineering and Ops were two departments that were MAJORLY needed during the undocking and launch process, so they'd all better be on the same damn page. Paisley took the initiative to call a team meeting, PLUS the ladies could meet Connor-and she could relish his reaction. She was still trying to figure out why she took such glee in harassing the poor man, but she was stubborn and wouldn't dig deep enough-at least, not yet, on her own-to figure it out.
She got to the office a few minutes early to prepare. She replicated some popcorn, coffee, and donuts. They ate like teenagers but not a single one of them were lacking in physical activity. Still, she was going to need to eat a LOT of salads to counteract the terrible diet she'd been maintaining on Leave. SO MUCH JUNK and rich foods, plus copious amounts of liquor. She was surprised she hadn't turned into Kanar by now.
She settled in, waiting for the others, while she read through some things on her PADD for pre-launch information. She'd miss it here; like she'd told Vura, it had been difficult to say good-bye to her new Romulan and Bajoran "friends", but it had to be done. She still had Vura to hang out with, right?! She sighed deeply but sipped some coffee.
Connor walked into the Engineering department, ready to get to work on whatever computer system needed his help. The gangly man walked into the department and started to take in all of the scenery. Popcorn? Coffee? Donuts? Was this a meeting or a party? "Um, uh, where is everyone?" he asked looking away from Paisley. "I, uh, well, saw no agenda. No, schedule." He pronounced "schedule" in the traditional British sounding way of "shed - u - ul."
She shrugged. "On their way, I presume. No one messaged to say they were going to be late or couldn't attend, so give it a moment. Sit down, relax. Have a snack," she said. "How's Holly?" She asked, nonchalantly but with a smirk playing on her face. "Better yet, how's Zhara?"
Connor gave Paisley a questioning look. She knew that Connor had not talked to Holly yet. It was something that he probably had to do. And what did Zhara have to do with any of this? The bigger problem was Marjani....
"What? It's an innocent question about your girlfriend. I know how the ladies I've dated this week are doing," she said, giving him a pointed look and a smirk.
Connor sighed softly, rolled his eyes, and let his eyes drift onto the computers.
Reena walked in the office, a cup of Raktajino with Bajoran five-spice. Spotting Connor, she walked over to him and said. "Good morning, I'm Jol Reena, you're Ensign Turner, right?
Connor turned to face Reena and immediately after meeting her gaze, found his feet much more interesting. "I am," he admitted. I think she's older. But honestly, why is everyone on this ship and in this department female? I'm not going to survive!
"Welcome aboard, Turner. So, what's your specialty?" She asked with a smile.
"Computers," Connor answered, shuffling a foot slowly across the floor.
"How interesting. I'm a Damage Control Specialist, I started off as a Tactical Systems Engineer, and spent some time as a Gunner's Mate in Tactical, and a Security Officer." Reena said.
"That's a lot," Connor replied with some mild awe. "I prefer my computers. Hopefully you can make sure there is no damage so I don't have to worry about that too with them."
"Count on it." Reena said with a smile. "So, have you ever been to Bajor?" She asked.
'Hey, Jol," Paisley interrupted when she paused after asking Connor if he'd been to Bajor. She went back to her PADD to finish the undocking assignments-she figured she'd be nice and let Laxia work with Connor, and she with Reena, while El was at the Console. That way, there wouldn't be any "conflicts of interest", which is what she'd taken to calling the argument that she and Turner had had. Twice.
"Where's Llaxia? Boss is going to be a few minutes late, but no worries. We're only going to review the launch teams and then we're done for the final day of leave. It shouldn't be long," she hoped, because she, too, had plans. She had to say goodbye to some people, and hello to some more.
El popped out from behind the QSD on the upper level, "Oh is that an Englander down there? Finally, someone who can talk to Dave in his own language. You got everything sorted, F'rar ? Oh, and please stop flirting with every lifeform in range, leave some for the rest of us." She made her way down to the pool table.
"Only in his dreams would I flirt with him," she said, jerking a grey finger towards Connor. "Feel free," she said. "The new Deltan counselor already kinda staked a claim, I think, though. Right, Connor?" She smiled wickedly. "Besides, he's got the wrong parts, you know that!" She didn't know who she was trying to convince here...
Connor was about to answer the question about Bajor but conversation continued without him and he was perfectly fine with that. And what was it with Paisley? Even Connor worried that she was living in a river in Egypt. Why me? Then he heard someone say something about 'Dave,' and his own language. She seemed to wear the Chief label. He stared into her eyes and his mouth dropped. Was every woman on this ship more beautiful than the next? How in the world was he ever going to be able to get work done? What did I do to deserve this punishment? Bugger me! he wondered. "Um, Dave?" he finally squeaked, forcing his eyes to his feet. "Is that, uh, what you, um, call, the, um, central computer?"
"No, Dave's the Welsh guy over there. The short green angry one." Elen pointed. "We haven't got a name for the computer yet, if you can think of a nice one, go with it. Connor, right? the new computer specialist. Welcome to the madhouse, just ignore the succubi and keep the things beeping, OK?"
Paisley shook her head. Poor man was going to be eaten alive by the lot of them, and especially her. Still, she looked at her boss.
"Good morning, Lt. Yes, I have just a couple things. What do you think for launch duties-Myself and Reena on the hoses, Turner and Lax securing the airlock, and you at the Console? I haven't been fully trained yet, but I am working with Colonel Tremble on that," she said. She didn't WANT to learn it; she wasn't command material. She just wanted to blow things up and then put them back together, but here they were. "Just need your sign off. Then, I'll send it up to Command for approval, and set the schedule for next week. If anyone has time off requests, I need those ASAP," she said to the assembled team. They were small but worked together well, and she was excited to get back to work, even if she'd miss the Station.
Connor's eyes widened. Succubi? We have female demons?! And Welch? Well, at least we could probably talk about some decent holos. "Yes, I'm Connor, ma'am. I'll talk to the computer and see if it reveals its name. I know we have had some good talks so far...."
Paisley looked at him like he had grown an extra head from his shoulder. Learn its NAME?! He was three bricks short of a load!!
Llaxia came running into the office, her uniform stained with grease and soot. "Sorry, I'm late, a power regulator fail on Deck 4 and I had to rebuild the section's power network. It's working fine now."
"Thanks, Llax," said Paisley. "Don't forget to file a ticket. Captain Big Ears is on my ass for that kind of thing," she sighed. Apparently, having an assistant now meant that El could pass on the shit work to her.
Noticing Connor, she said. "Hey new guy, I'm Llaxia."
Connor swallowed hard. He wanted to faint. Another Deltan?! I've never seen one in person and now I've got two to contend with! Did Starfleet have some sort of beauty contest and stick all the prettiest women on this ship? How in the universe can I contend with this? "Um, hi?"
"So, you're into computers?" Llaxia asked trying to make conversation.
"Uh huh," Connor dumbly answered, finding it hard to find his feet and trying to find a way to look away from the Deltan.
"He's also got a girlfriend, Llax, so too bad for you," Paisley joked. "El. Can you approve this schedule? As I said, me and Llax doing the hoses. New Guy and Jol on the Airlocks and standby, and you at the Console on the Bridge. Ed can just...look cute, I guess," she said. "I have a couple of hot Romulan ladies to kiss goodbye, so if we could hurry this along, that'd be great," she said. "And a Bajoran." She gave a sly smile.
"Deltans have a cel...cel...celibacy oath," he finally choked out towards Paisley. "And, um, I would probably, um, well, uh, be better on the bridge.... Computer specialist...." He then asked Paisley, "So, you are, well, just a, well, bint, then? Explains much."
She looked at him, seriously. "Excuse me?" With that, she simply stood up, placed the PADD on the table, dumped the remainder of her drink on him, and walked out the door. "I'll present myself to the brig, Diari, save you the trouble," she called out behind her. What the HELL did he think he was doing, calling her such things?! She didn't judge HIM and his stupid, fake girlfriend. Where did he get off?! She made her way to the end of the hallway, where the auxiliary supply room was. She could be alone there and indulge in a good cry.
Connor stretched his arms out to the side, his mouth slightly agape, and his eyes wide. Paisley was clearly a mad woman. Never in his life did anyone act this way towards him, always so hostile. Clearly, she was jealous of his monogamy. Also, she seemed to be more than able to dish out torture, but could not handle any return volleys. He stood and continued to stare at the group before finding words. "Right.... I'll just go change, shall I?"
"Good work, Mr. Turner." Reena said and applauded.
"There's a shower and a replicator in the workshop if you'd like to refresh yourself." Llaxia said.
Stunned that this was the reaction from two co-workers, Connor had no idea what to think. Keeping his arms held out, he simply replied, "Thanks," and walked off in the direction of the shower and replicator. He had a very bad feeling about what he said, but how could he allow Paisley to keep treating himself like that?
A few minutes later, she'd pulled herself together. After cleaning herself up a bit in the restroom, Paisley returned to the office. "Sorry, needed to use the ladies' room. A bit too much coffee. Where's Turner? I need to speak to him. The rest of you have your assignments, so you can go. Or stay, I don't care." She really didn't. When he returned, though, she intended to have a serious talk about what had happened. It was ok to tease and torment people. It WASN'Tok to call someone a whore. It hurt her heart that they weren't passed that yet in the Federation, but then, she had to remind herself-humans weren't as advanced as they were. She would take her punishment for dumping the remainder of her coffee on him, but there were lines one shouldn't cross, and one had been.
Connor showered, wondering where everything went wrong. Just what was Paisley's problem with him? Was he not always the gentleman? Well, not today, he had to admit to himself. He finally had it with her insinuating he had no girlfriend and retaliated. It did not matter that even the Chief told Paisley to stop hitting on everything that moved. But she told Paisley to leave some for "the rest of us." Did that mean that the Chief was interested in him? Oh, God! Connor worriedly processed this new information and came to no conclusion. If only people were as easy to understand as computers.
Freshened up but with more doubts in his mind, he replicated a new uniform for himself, hurriedly put a brush through his hair and reappeared to see Paisley back. I thought she was going to the brig! Why is she here? If this was not an official meeting, despite the lack of an agenda, he would have turned tail and run. Instead, his eyes found his feet and he walked in sullenly.
El had made it to her office, looked at her clipboard, ran her hand through her hair "Connor, get over here. F'rar go with it, sounds good," she called out.
Connor looked over at Paisley, wondering what more she had said and/or done. Resignedly, he looked away and then walked into the Chief's office and let the door slide behind him. "You asked to see me, Lieutenant?"
"Yeah, you OK? Don't know what's going on, and really don't care beyond the waste of coffee, but if there's a problem, I want to know now before you get hurt, right?" she asked.
Connor looked at Elen with puppy dog eyes and then looked down at his feet, his voice soft and upset. "I don't understand, um, ma'am. Ever since I accidentally bumped into her on the Promenade and Ensign F'rar dragged me on board, she has taken a disliking to me. She insisted I was flirting with her, when I wasn't. I have a girlfriend, or at least I think or thought I do. Holly. It is a bit complicated, now, I think." He heaved a heavy sigh. "Haven't talked to her since the Academy and well, I think I have to find her and do that.... I think Counselor Zhara and the Doctor wanted me to do that and well...." He shook his head. "Well, that's all personal, anyways."
He heaved another deep sigh, his gaze firmly on the floor. "Anyways, Ensign F'rar is quite mad, you know? She keeps going on about Holly and tried to sit in on my medical, like I was some dog that needed watching. Wanted to make sure I went to the Quartermaster, too. The doctor saw to it that she left. But, I don't understand it, Chief. It is like she just wants to purposely push my buttons, and well, today, I finally snapped. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called her a 'bint,' even if...." He bit off concluding the sentence. "I'm much better at understanding computers than people, ma'am. All I want to do is work with them and well, if I may say so, they seem neglected. I have been putting some extra hours into caring for them."
El stroked her chin, "Hmmm...OK." She laughed. "Bint... haven't heard that in years, prefer 'Trollop' myself. Anyway, going to get you working out of Ops for a while, they do most of the 'puter work round here. Get some distance between you and F'rar- you do the hardware, ops do the software. I'll keep an eye on things, and review it in say, a month? If there's any hassle, then I'll chuck it up to the XO, he can airlock both of you."
Involuntarily, Connor stifled a laugh when El said, "Trollop." His feet were still the most interesting thing in the room, as far as his eyes were concerned. The computer specialist nodded and very relieved said, "Thank you, ma'am." He followed it up with, "Sorry to be a problem, ma'am. I have no desire to meet space with or without an EVA suit." His voice indicated his discomfort with the idea of spacewalking. "I hope, um, well, I did not, well, ruin a party."
"Right, the matter's closed. Go sort computers, Turner. Hope you're half as good as your file says." She waved him out.
A less humble person might have said something like he was better than his file said. However, Connor was both humble and scared, so he skittered out of the Chief's office as quickly as he could.
Paisley settled herself at the table, ignoring the two others. She sent a quick note to Vura, asking to see her later, and then one to Elen, telling her she was going to Counseling at 1400 and would be unavailable. Finally, she sent the final schedule off to the Captain-this time, with Connor at the Console and Elen with Reena.
When he came out, she simply looked at him. "Ensign Turner. If you ever speak to me-OR any other woman-like that again, I will PERSONALLY escort you out of the rear nacelle. It is OK to tease and torment. But that? That crossed a line. You might be new here, and a pain in my ass, but I was NEVER cruel to you. You don't know my life or circumstances, and I pray you never DO. I am ALSO the Assistant Department Head and let me tell you this-if you think that a word like that will fly in this department, it will NOT, even if I have to go to the Commodore about it. And I WILL, I promise you that. What would your mother say?! Even my father, who is goddamn Legate in the Militia wouldn't dream of saying something like that." Her blue eyes were alight with the fire of a thousand suns, daring him to sass back. A raised eyebrow further made her point. "Are we clear?" She asked.
At least that one act would now freeze her out forever, so he got THAT wish.
Connor looked at Paisley and simply said, "I should not have called you that, ma'am. I am sorry for that," he said bowing his head. "I'm normally a gentleman. But, you got what you deserved. Take it up with the Chief." With that, he moved towards Dave, and hoped he could find the courage to strike up a conversation with the Welch green blob.
"No one deserves that, but believe me, Lt. Diari and I will have a conversation," she said. She watched him walk away towards the Changeling. Was that ALL? What a weak-willed little man. She turned to the other two.
"You have your assignments. I'll see you tomorrow. If anyone needs me, I'll be in the Auxiliary Supply room. It's a mess, and we got new supplies delivered." She stalked out of the room again-this time, for the rest of the day.
El caught up behind Paisley and put her hand on her shoulder "Oi. Bint a word ?" she sniggered.
Paisley gave her boss a LOOK, but nodded. "Sure. In the office or the supply room? We got a delivery, size 3 bolts. Need sorting. Lord knows the Station engineers didn't do a lick of that," she said. She may be messy in her personal life, but she kept her workspace perfectly neat. She hated chaos in the office and supply rooms. She followed Elen, silently. She had nothing to say, as she'd done nothing wrong.
"We'll just go over here. Sent the new guy to Ops. I'll forgive the waste of coffee this time, but I'm more concerned with you. You can't just lose the rag with the staff for being 'holes, otherwise we'd have no staff, or you'll have a stress coronary. Can see you in the big chair one day, if you just step it back a notch, OK? Happy with your work since being Assistant Chief, just don't get angry at everyone- we work with a lot of emotionally stunted people, they're called men, and are really not worth it" El explained
She sighed. "I know. I am sorry. I don't know what's wrong. Maybe it's stress. I'll see counseling about it, and get my shit together. I'll pull the schedule and redo it. Ed's gonna have to pull his weight around here, the lug," she said. "But seriously, we could use an extra hand, but next time, can't it be someone less...male?!" She shook her head. "I'll go apologize to the ladies."
"Llaxia do you think Paisley might have a crush on Turner?" Reena asked
"I'm sure I don't know, its not my business." Llaxia said.
"It would explain why she's so angry with him and why his comment hurt her so much." Reena said.
"I don't care, as long as she's not angry with me, I'm fine." Llaxia said.
She approached the table again. "Ladies, I am very sorry for my behavior today. It is simply unacceptable for an officer to behave that way. Would one of you be able or willing to take Mr. Turner to Ops? Make sure he checks in with their Chief before he meets up with Rocha for whatever it is that men discuss at work."
She REALLY didn't want to do it, but would if they didn't. She figured her best course of action from here on out was to pretend that he didn't exist.
"I'll do it, ma'am." Llaxia said. After all she'd been meaning to catch up with Marisol. She hadn't seen her since they both served aboard the Rutherford.
"Are you sure you don't want to escort him, ma'am?" Reena asked Paisley, trying to keep a smile from her face.
Paisley blinked at the woman. "Why on EARTH would I want to do that?" She asked. Clearly, Reena had missed the part about them butting heads for the past couple of weeks. If she never saw Connor Turner again, it would be too soon. "Thank you, Llax. Turner? Good luck." She smirked. Wait until Turner found out about the Gorn.
A Joint Post By
Ensign Paisley F'rar
Damage Control Specialist, USS Pioneer
Chief Petty Officer Llaxia
Structural/Environmental Specialist, USS Pioneer
Chief Petty Officer Jol Reena
Damage Control Specialist, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Elen Diari
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Connor Turner
Computer Systems Specialist, USS Pioneer
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